I'm looking at the Ruled Surface section of the manual again. The example is a "pipe" bent to 90 degrees. As I said, I get it conceptually, I just don't understand how to make use of it. Couldn't Extrusion have done the same thing?

The Ruled Surface tool seems to be similar to extrusion, but I see some different applications for it. Since it's not easy to descibe, and I'm just trying to figure things out here myself, here's the link to the tutorial where I discovered it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3uKJJsXAto
It's a YouTube video called Carrara Vertex Modeling Tutorial Part 2. The relevent section begins at 0:40. Both Part 1 and Part 2 are fast-paced, but they really helped me understand how the tools work, which the manual doesn't help much with.

3DAGE,

The image you sent looks like the screen in the video. I see where the tool is supposed to be, but the last 4 icons are not there; the brush is the last icon in the row. Under the Constructmenu I have Insert 3D; Insert 2D; Extrude; Sweep: Lathe; Loft; Organic; and Boolean. I am in Edit Mode. When I right-click on the tool bar it shows all 5 menus checked off. Were these tools added in a later version than C7?

The Ruled Surface tool seems to be similar to extrusion, but I see some different applications for it. Since it's not easy to descibe, and I'm just trying to figure things out here myself, here's the link to the tutorial where I discovered it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3uKJJsXAto

Cool stuff, I'll take a look at that later. Thanks!

I did play a bit with the Ruled Surface this morning...putting together a bunch of scribbled closed curves and seeing what comes out. Kinda neat. I'll have to try the same with the Gordon and Coons surfaces too. Then try to figure out what I can use them for.

Do you have the Pro version or Standard version of Carrara. ?
some tools and features are only available in Pro versions.

here's a quick screen capture from C6 pro, showing the tools.

One feature of ruled surfaces is that you can create complex shapes from simple splines which have different amounts of vertices.
The ruled surface will create new vertices as needed to create the shape.

One feature of ruled surfaces is that you can create complex shapes from simple splines which have different amounts of vertices.
The ruled surface will create new vertices as needed to create the shape.

Thanks 3DAGE! I have been creating some odd and monstrous shapes this way. It is neat; but I am still not sure where I would use it over other primitives.

Actually, I may have an answer for that soon. One thing I'd like to create are columns with sections "carved out" around its circumference. This was fairly simple in POV-Ray since you had to script your scene programmatically...I wrote a loop that did Boolean differences of a small column around the circumference of a bigger column.

I couldn't do that in Carrara but it looks like Ruled Surface might be my answer. I'm still experimenting to see what I can do with this.

I'm looking at the Ruled Surface section of the manual again. The example is a "pipe" bent to 90 degrees. As I said, I get it conceptually, I just don't understand how to make use of it. Couldn't Extrusion have done the same thing?

Suggest you consider that the Carrara vertex modeling tools are a 'subset' of Hexagon tool-set. I prefer to usually use the Hex app, but with vertex tools integrated in Carrara, they are often easier to use in a scene.

That said....take a look at Hex user manual...good explanations and plenty of short videos. I'm quite sure its on the DAZ web site and maybe can still be downloaded (large file set) for easy ref. on your PC.

Suggest you consider that the Carrara vertex modeling tools are a 'subset' of Hexagon tool-set. I prefer to usually use the Hex app, but with vertex tools integrated in Carrara, they are often easier to use in a scene.

That said....take a look at Hex user manual...good explanations and plenty of short videos. I'm quite sure its on the DAZ web site and maybe can still be downloaded (large file set) for easy ref. on your PC.

Also, the example shown by 3DAGE above actually got me thinking about how to use this! It just took a bit while my neurons chewed on it for a couple of days! I like extruding from a square to produce lanterns...ultimately, I'd like to put these lanterns atop a pole. Instead of simply setting the model on the end of a cylinder, the Ruled Surface can build a smooth transition from a circle to square.

Ruled surface is useful for modeling specific volumes, especially when you have plans. You can create your curves in a vector porgram and import them, or draw right in the modeler (easier in Hex, IMO). I use ruled surface for starting vehicle bodies, etc.

Ruled surface is useful for modeling specific volumes, especially when you have plans. You can create your curves in a vector porgram and import them, or draw right in the modeler (easier in Hex, IMO). I use ruled surface for starting vehicle bodies, etc.

That is something that I'd love to learn more about -- I am amazed at some of the spectacular vehicular models the people create. Recent case in point is RichardChaos' Sherman tank and F4 Phantom II jet.

I guess I'll have to fire up Hexagon and open its documentation! Time for education!

While the Hex user manual is good at explaining each of the tools....my advice is to play play play with the app. Try to do something simple, then expand to other tools etc. And there are many free (and a few $$) tuts, mostly videos, on www. Also see the Hex discussion forum on this DAZ site.